ISKCON Leaders in Mathurā

Four months later, a few ISKCON sannyāsīs came to Mathurā to request Śrīla Gurudeva again to go to Bombay for the next court hearing. Without thinking twice about his own health, Gurudeva agreed.

Our māṭha (temple) brahmacārīs overheard the conversation and became worried about Gurudeva’s health but, due to etiquette, they didn’t speak up.(While Śrīla Gurudeva or any highly qualified Vaiṣṇava speaks to others, the juniors customarily will not take part in the discussion without the kind permission of that Vaiṣṇava.). The brahmacārīs there had to remain silent as they didn’t dare interrupt Śrīla Gurudeva, for whom they had such deep respect, while he was talking. Furthermore the ISKCON sannyāsīs that appeared big, well-fed and full of worldly confidence were quite intimidating to some of those simple and thin village brahmacārīs.

Although coming from a similar village background, I was not at all intimidated and objected with force. At that time my name was Navīna Kṛṣṇa Brahmacārī and upon entering Śrīla Gurudeva’s room, I offered my respectful obeisances to him and the Vaiṣṇavas present and began to speak. “We will not allow Śrīla Gurudeva to go to Bombay anymore,” I said.

The ISKCON sannyāsīs all looked at me surprised and asked me why not. I answered, “The last time you took Gurudeva to Bombay, he became extremely sick. There was no brahmachari assistant to take care of his personal and health needs. Although you undoubtedly provided very nice treatment according to your abilities, you are not aware of what is favourable and what is unfavourable for Śrīla Gurudeva’s health; so we won’t allow him to go anymore.”

“I must go,” Gurudeva said humbly, “otherwise, ISKCON will be ruined.”

The ISKCON sannyāsīs quickly agreed with Śrīla Gurudeva and repeatedly said that Śrīla Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja was very much needed to give evidence.

I did not give up and firmly continued, “We will let Gurudeva go to Bombay with some conditions. One of our brahmacharis has to accompany him. The last time, Śubhānanda Brahmacārī (now Śrīpāda Bhaktivedānta Tīrtha Mahārāja) accompanied him to the Delhi airport. When he came back to Mathurā from Delhi, he was weeping and couldn’t eat for two days. He was very distressed to see Gurudeva go alone on the plane. So if Śrīla Gurudeva is to go again to Bombay, you will have to purchase two flight tickets, one for Gurudeva and one for one of our brahmacārīs.” They immediately agreed.

“And they must both be return tickets; neither Gurudeva nor the brahmacārī will return by train.” Again they agreed.

“Not only that,” I went on, “the two tickets must be handed to us here in Mathurā.”

“Yes.”They agreed.

“Not only that”, I continued “our brahmacārī devotees will purchase the bhoga (foodstuffs for offering) and cook for Gurudeva as well. They immediately agreed upon it.

When the ISKCON sannyāsīs went away, all the brahmacārīs who were living in the māṭha at that time, such as Śrīpāda Nandanandana Brahmacārī, Śrīpāda Śubhānanda Brahmacārī, Śrīpāda Premānanda Brahmacārī, Śrīpāda Raghunātha Brahmacārī and Śrīpāda Gaura-kṛṣṇa Brahmacārī and others, approached Gurudeva with a special request.

“Among us,” they said, “Navīna Kṛṣṇa is the newest member of the māṭha. Although we were shy to come in front of you, especially in the presence of the ISKCON sannyāsīs who are big and intimidating, this new skinny boy stood up and made them agree to all his demands. We think he should be the one to go with you to Bombay, as he is quite capable of arranging everything and resolving any issues.”

This is how I became Śrīla Gurudeva’s more than 100% personal servant. Prior to this I had often cooked for Śrīla Gurudeva and served him, but I didn’t always accompany him when he travelled for his preaching. But from this time onwards, I personally assisted him and travelled with him permanently. I was thus blessed with this very important responsibility and very happy to be engaged in this service.